I am a connoisseur of bruschetta, I will order it at any given opportunity, no matter the place or time of year. I have had horrid bruschetta, I have eaten amazing bruschetta. I've tried bruschetta from sea to shining sea, but the ultimate test for Bruschetta, I think must be winter's end in Chicago. For a chef who can table an excellent bruschetta at the tail end of a long winter in Chicago, where decent tomatoes are a long lost memory of summers past, I only have the highest regard.

The bruschetta on March 28, at Sparacino was beyond words. With the bread toasted (wood burning fire?) perfectly, finely laced basil, and tomatoes that tasted so fresh they defied reason - I was astonished. Mozarella was uncharacteristically absent, but no matter. The plate was garnished with a very sweet basalmic and an earthy olive oil. My mouth is still applauding.

Our entre was also very satisfying, a rigatoni with a sundried tomato cream sauce and mild italian sausage very tender, with a delicate flavor that didn't overwhelm the sauce.

Service was over the top. This is a "family" italian restaurant, with a high proportion of neighborhood italian families as regular patrons. We had the good fortune to be greeted by regulars at another table - maybe that's the reason the service was over the top excellent. We came very late in the evening, rather than rush us out, they comped us our after dinner coffee with sambuco, even though we'd split the entree. What a lovely final touch.

2

by Betsydelph at Citysearch
March 29, 20085Sparacino Ristorante

Heavenly Bruschetta, great italian food

★★★★★

I am a connoisseur of bruschetta, I will order it at any given opportunity, no matter the place or time of year. I have had horrid bruschetta, I have eaten amazing bruschetta. I've tried bruschetta from sea to shining sea, but the ultimate test for Bruschetta, I think must be winter's end in Chicago. For a chef who can table an excellent bruschetta at the tail end of a long winter in Chicago, where decent tomatoes are a long lost memory of summers past, I only have the highest regard.

The bruschetta on March 28, at Sparacino was beyond words. With the bread toasted (wood burning fire?) perfectly, finely laced basil, and tomatoes that tasted so fresh they defied reason - I was astonished. Mozarella was uncharacteristically absent, but no matter. The plate was garnished with a very sweet basalmic and an earthy olive oil. My mouth is still applauding.

Our entre was also very satisfying, a rigatoni with a sundried tomato cream sauce and mild italian sausage very tender, with a delicate flavor that didn't overwhelm the sauce.

Service was over the top. This is a "family" italian restaurant, with a high proportion of neighborhood italian families as regular patrons. We had the good fortune to be greeted by regulars at another table - maybe that's the reason the service was over the top excellent. We came very late in the evening, rather than rush us out, they comped us our after dinner coffee with sambuco, even though we'd split the entree. What a lovely final touch.

Pros: Cozy, warm, a very comfortable, welcoming space with great food and service

Cons: The location on North Avenue is less than glam with the construction (Mar 08)

I discovered Sparacino last week with my husband. Sparacino has the best Italian food I have ever had. When you take your first step, you feel as it you are truely in Italy. The wait staff if fun and loveable yet very professional at the same time. The Halibut is amazing!

2

by dored at Citysearch
December 20, 20065Sparacino Ristorante

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!

★★★★★

I discovered Sparacino last week with my husband. Sparacino has the best Italian food I have ever had. When you take your first step, you feel as it you are truely in Italy. The wait staff if fun and loveable yet very professional at the same time. The Halibut is amazing!

We live in the neighborhood of River Forest/Oak Park and this has to be one of the best kept secrets around. There is always a variety of specials and seasonal fare with the chef poking around and making suggestions of who should eat what! Love the wait staff and how friendly and personel they are. The dinning floor is cozy and may get crowded but we have always managed a great time and a good meal. We have also rented the resturaunt for a friends engagement party and used their catering services for my daughters 16th. I wished they would advertise more and offer coupons but regardless this is a good spot if you live in the area. I highly recomend this place ecspecially for a couples night out!

2

by platinumplease at Citysearch
September 22, 20065Sparacino Ristorante

The staff treats you like family

★★★★★

We live in the neighborhood of River Forest/Oak Park and this has to be one of the best kept secrets around. There is always a variety of specials and seasonal fare with the chef poking around and making suggestions of who should eat what! Love the wait staff and how friendly and personel they are. The dinning floor is cozy and may get crowded but we have always managed a great time and a good meal. We have also rented the resturaunt for a friends engagement party and used their catering services for my daughters 16th. I wished they would advertise more and offer coupons but regardless this is a good spot if you live in the area. I highly recomend this place ecspecially for a couples night out!

A friend of mine raved about this place, so I tried it, food great!!!!!!!!! setting great Wait staff worst I have ever seen!!!!! For a place with eleven tables and 4 staff, they need to work there own table not try to help on all of them. They may treat some customers as family I felt like the redheaded step child. A Shame!!!! It would help if they had someone running the front of the house

1

by paddyt63 at Citysearch
January 07, 20063Sparacino Ristorante

Train your staff!

★★★☆☆

A friend of mine raved about this place, so I tried it, food great!!!!!!!!! setting great Wait staff worst I have ever seen!!!!! For a place with eleven tables and 4 staff, they need to work there own table not try to help on all of them. They may treat some customers as family I felt like the redheaded step child. A Shame!!!! It would help if they had someone running the front of the house